1897 C.F. Martin Style 5 Bowl Back Mandolin – First Ever Made With Documentation

1897 C.F. Martin Style 5 Bowl Back Mandolin – First Ever Made With Documentation

$3,850.00

In stock

1897 C.F. Martin Style 5 Bowl Back Mandolin – First Ever Made – Includes documentation.

This is the very first Style 5 bowl back mandolin ever made by Martin. This mandolin has good provenance and documentation coming from both C. F. Martin & Co. and Gruhn Guitars. The serial number is hot branded into the interior-side of the neck block. The serial number is 149, and it is the earliest recorded number for a Style 5 mandolin in Martin’s register/ledger (see pictures). It was made in 1897, which is one year before it first showed up in the Martin catalog.

This is a rare instrument, and because it is the first one made, it is literally one-of-a-kind.

The mandolin is absolutely stunning to look at and it sounds equally beautiful. The Style 5 is arguably the most ornate and fancy of all of the Martin mandolins of this time. The back of the head is stamped “Martin”, and the original paper label is inside the sound hole.

It features:

  • French polish finish
  • Engraved metal hardware
  • Solid spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and mahogany neck
  • 32 rib back
  • Pearl button tuners
  • Ebony bridge
  • Top binding comprised of alternating blocks of white pearl and tortoise
  • Bounded fingerboard
  • Tree of life inlaid fingerboard
Some items of interest with this mandolin: 
  • The original case disintegrated and a hardshell case was acquired in 1970.
  • The fingerboard was replaced at some point in its long history by Martin.
  • There is a repaired crack on the top board. There are minor abrasions on the bowl back, and tarnish on the bridge.
  • There are two letters (2011 and 2022) from Gruhn Guitars describing the instrument and its value
  • There are several Martin letters included.
  • There is a letter from Martin (2007) which included a copy of their ledger showing it listed.
  • There is an invoice from Martin in 2007, showing minor setup work.
  • There was one owner of the Martin from 1970 – 2024. Prior ownership is not known.
The sale of this mandolin includes the case and all documentation.

Free shipping in the Continental United States. Shipping available outside the Continental US.

Description

1897 C.F. Martin Style 5 Bowl Back Mandolin – First Ever Made – Includes documentation.

This is the very first Style 5 bowl back mandolin ever made by Martin. This mandolin has good provenance and documentation coming from both C. F. Martin & Co. and Gruhn Guitars. The serial number is hot branded into the interior-side of the neck block. The serial number is 149, and it is the earliest recorded number for a Style 5 mandolin in Martin’s register/ledger (see pictures). It was made in 1897, which is one year before it first showed up in the Martin catalog.

This is a rare instrument, and because it is the first one made, it is literally one-of-a-kind.

The mandolin is absolutely stunning to look at and it sounds equally beautiful. The Style 5 is arguably the most ornate and fancy of all of the Martin mandolins of this time. The back of the head is stamped “Martin”, and the original paper label is inside the sound hole.

It features:

  • French polish finish
  • Engraved metal hardware
  • Solid spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and mahogany neck
  • 32 rib back
  • Pearl button tuners
  • Ebony bridge
  • Top binding comprised of alternating blocks of white pearl and tortoise
  • Bounded fingerboard
  • Tree of life inlaid fingerboard

Some items of interest with this mandolin: 

  • The original case disintegrated and a hardshell case was acquired in 1970.
  • The fingerboard was replaced at some point in its long history by Martin.
  • There is a repaired crack on the top board. There are minor abrasions on the bowl back, and tarnish on the bridge.
  • There are two letters (2011 and 2022) from Gruhn Guitars describing the instrument and its value
  • There are several Martin letters included.
  • There is a letter from Martin (2007) which included a copy of their ledger showing it listed.
  • There is an invoice from Martin in 2007, showing minor setup work.
  • There was one owner of the Martin from 1970 – 2024. Prior ownership is not known.

The sale of this mandolin includes the case and all documentation.

Free shipping in the Continental United States. Shipping available outside the Continental US.

Additional information

Weight 8 lbs
Dimensions 34 × 16 × 12 in
Brand

C.F. Martin
Model

Style 5 Bowl Back
Year

1897

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